Architect <a href="http://www.kere-architecture.com/">Diébédo Francis Kéré</a> emphasized Mali's rich culture and history while shaping the public experience with his ecological contributions to the National Park of Mali and the Great Mosque of Mopti. The National Park of Mali is 250-acres of open space right in the middle of Mali's capital city <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/africa/" target="_blank">Bamako</a>, one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. His landscaping and construction on the protected forest land demonstrates sustainable urban planning as well as the power of public-private partnerships. The government has teamed up with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to keep this <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/public-space/" target="_blank">public space</a> safe from land grabs, while Kéré is working to keep it in the public heart.

His integration of technology and vernacular architecture enable him to actualize unique, appealing and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/local-materials/" target="_blank">environmental solutions</a> that reflect their historical and cultural context. In the case of Mali, these range from 15th century Dogon villages nestled in sandstone cliffs to French colonial-era botanical gardens.

Each of the facilities share common elements such as slanted steel roofs hovering atop <a href="http://inhabitat.com/minimalist-adobe-brick-home-is-a-box-within-a-box/" target="_blank">adobe</a> bases.

Echoing the ancient baobab trees and sandstone cliffs are lattice-work walls carved from local stone and all of the structures are open to allow for natural ventilation (the restaurant at the National Park is the only facility with air conditioning).

The sports center at the National Park is split up into three pavilions situated around an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/playmo-an-urban-playground-created-from-crates/" target="_blank">ellipsoidal playground</a>.

Open space, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/simplicity/" target="_blank">simplicity</a>, and functionality are the creative forces behind the structures at the expansive National Park of Mali, as well as the visitor's center at the Great Mosque of Mopti.

Architect Diébédo Francis Kéré emphasized Mali's rich culture and history while shaping the public experience with his ecological contributions to the National Park of Mali and the Great Mosque of Mopti. The National Park of Mali is 250-acres of open space right in the middle of Mali's capital city Bamako, one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. His landscaping and construction on the protected forest land demonstrates sustainable urban planning as well as the power of public-private partnerships. The government has teamed up with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to keep this public space safe from land grabs, while Kéré is working to keep it in the public heart.